….Community calls for equitable inclusion, transparency and urgent infrastructural development in Ijiegu
Concerned indigenes of Maa Clan in Ijiegu Community, Yache Ward, have protested their alleged exclusion from the ₦10 million-per-ward solar project approved by the Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, demanding immediate inclusion or an equivalent development project.
In a protest statement dated November 9, 2026, and signed by concerned indigenes of the clan, the community expressed disappointment over what it described as the selective implementation of the initiative, alleging that Maa Clan was the only one among the six clans in Yache Ward excluded from the project.
The protesting indigenes said their community was instead referred to a separate constituency water project facilitated by Hon. Brian, an explanation they described as unacceptable and inconsistent with the principles of fairness and equitable distribution of government projects.
They further questioned the rationale behind their exclusion, noting that other clans which had previously benefited from constituency projects were also accommodated under the solar initiative.
According to the statement, the development has raised concerns about equity, fairness and what the community perceives as deliberate marginalisation.
The indigenes also maintained that Maa Clan remains a significant voting bloc in Yache Ward, claiming that the community has consistently demonstrated strong electoral participation and has never placed below second position in successive elections.
They expressed disappointment over what they described as the silence of their political stakeholders and influential sons and daughters, accusing some of prioritising personal political interests over the collective welfare of the community.
Longstanding infrastructural neglect
Beyond the controversy surrounding the solar project, the community used the opportunity to draw attention to what it described as years of developmental neglect.
The statement alleged that Maa Clan, particularly Ijiegu Community, has witnessed little or no meaningful government intervention at both the federal and state levels, apart from the construction of three blocks of classrooms, which it identified as the only notable federal government project in the area.
The community lamented the absence of an accessible motorable road, functional electricity infrastructure and reliable telecommunications network coverage.
It described the situation as a major obstacle to social and economic development, arguing that residents remain disconnected from essential services and opportunities available in other communities.
The indigenes questioned how an entire community could continue to lack such basic amenities in the 21st century despite its contributions to the political and democratic development of Cross River State and Nigeria.
They also expressed concern over the apparent failure of political representation to translate into tangible development, particularly given the alleged maternal ties of the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, to the community and the ancestral connections of the Senator representing Cross River North, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, to Yache.
According to the protesters, these political connections make the continued neglect of Maa Clan even more disappointing and raise questions about effective representation, advocacy and the equitable distribution of development projects.
Community threatens to reconsider political support
The indigenes warned that the community would no longer take its political support for granted if its developmental concerns continued to be ignored.
They cautioned political stakeholders against expecting continued electoral loyalty without corresponding efforts to address the community’s developmental challenges.
Describing the situation as that of a political orphan, the protesters declared that they would no longer remain silent over what they consider persistent neglect and marginalisation.
They, however, emphasised their commitment to peaceful engagement, constructive dialogue and the pursuit of their demands through legitimate channels.
Four demands presented
The community outlined four major demands, including the immediate inclusion of Maa Clan in the ₦10 million-per-ward solar project or the provision of an equivalent compensatory development initiative.
It also demanded transparency and accountability from the relevant authorities regarding the selection and distribution of projects among the six clans in Yache Ward.
Other demands include active community participation in decisions concerning future development projects and more responsible political representation from elected officials and influential stakeholders.
The indigenes called on sons and daughters of Maa Clan, both within the community and in the diaspora, to unite and speak with one voice in demanding fairness, inclusion and meaningful development.
They stressed that their agitation was not for preferential treatment but for equal consideration and access to government interventions enjoyed by other communities.
“Our loyalty to the democratic process must not be mistaken for weakness, and our patience must not be interpreted as an acceptance of marginalisation,” the statement declared.
The community concluded with a renewed call for unity and equitable development, declaring: “One Clan, One People. No Community Left Behind!”
